Berserk MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Berserk is a powerful instant card offering a temporary but significant power boost during combat phases.
  2. This card can serve as a game finisher by doubling a creature’s power, but at the cost of sacrificing it.
  3. Often used in green-based aggressive or combo decks, it rewards strategic play with potentially game-changing effects.

Text of card

Until end of turn, target creature's current power doubles and it gains trample ability. If it attacks, target creature is destroyed at end of turn. This spell cannot be cast after current turn's attack is completed.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Berserk MTG stands as a unique powerhouse in terms of card advantage. By allowing you to boost your creature’s power for a game-breaking attack, it ensures an upperhand and swaying the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: The application of Berserk dramatically accelerates resource usage. It’s a single green mana cost spell that offers an essential boost, making it an excellent efficiency booster and a suitable addition to any green deck that aims for a high-tempo beatdown approach.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Berserk lies in its instant speed. This card can be intertwined during the combat phase, catching an opponent off guard, offering an unexpected power surge, and swinging a battle in your favor. This advantage makes Berserk a versatile card, providing strategy and surprise in equal measure.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Berserk doesn’t necessitate card discarding, but considering it’s a single-use instant, the impact can be equivalent to discarding if not timed perfectly. Usage of this strategic card could potentially lead to significant resource depletion if used improperly.

Specific Mana Cost: Berserk relies heavily on green mana. Its demand for a specific mana color may interfere with multi-color deck strategies and restrict its usage to dominantly green-themed decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While priced at two, which doesn’t seem high at face value, with regards to instants, there’s a cost premium. Respectively, there exist some other cards with equally destructive capacities but cost less to cast, possibly allowing for more efficient deck building.


Reasons to Include Berserk in Your Collection

Versatility: Berserk is a staple in many green decks, known for its adaptability and wide array of synergies. Whether powering up a trampler for a lethal swing or increasing the damage output of a pinger, Berserk fits into different strategies with ease.

Combo Potential: Berserk can deliver game-ending damage when combined with any creature boasting high power. The instant’s ability to double a monster’s power during combat opens the door for unexpected, lethal strikes. It stacks well with cards that amplify power, paving the way for solid, unpredictable game-play.

Meta-Relevance: Amid a meta landscape dotted with creature heavy deck types, Berserk’s prowess shines through. Its capability to alter combat dynamics drastically helps topple mid-range decks and control strategies, making it a relevant inclusion in any deck.


How to beat

Dealing with the power of a Berserk MTG card can be a strategic task for any player. The card’s primary strength lies in its immediate effect of increasing a creature’s power level, turning the tides in your opponent’s favor. However, strategies can be employed to undermine this.

Firstly, focus on control cards with instant effects, as timing is everything against Berserk MTG. Using removal or counterspell cards at opportune moments can nullify the card’s effect before it wreaks havoc.

Cards like Path to Exile or Terminate are excellent preventive measures, removing the creature from the game before Berserk can target it. On the other hand, cards like Cancel or Negate counter the spell instantly.

Remember, Berserk MTG also destroys the creature at the end of turn. Therefore, having reserve blockers not only helps absorb the doubled power but can also take advantage of the sudden vacuum created post-attack.

In conclusion, with the right tactics and card selection, beating Berserk MTG is within reach. Remember these strategies next time you face off against this formidable card in any Magic: The Gathering game.


Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the dynamic world of MTG takes more than just skill – it’s about passion and strategy. The Berserk card is a testament to the depth and complexity that the game offers. As you continue to broaden your understanding and refine your deck, the trajectory of your MTG journey is bound to ascend. We encourage you to keep diving deeper, seeking out new tactics, and adding powerful cards to your arsenal. Let your MTG matches be not just a duel, but a grand tale of victories. Eager to expand your knowledge and enhance your gameplay? Learn more with us and step into the role of a seasoned MTG strategist.


Cards like Berserk

Berserk, a Green Instant spell from MTG, piques interest due to its unique effect, allowing a target creature to double its power while leading it to destroy at the end of the turn. There are a few spells that lean closer to Berserk’s mechanics, one of these is Fatal Frenzy. Like Berserk, Fatal Frenzy also has the capability of doubling a creature’s power. However, in contrast to Berserk, it gives an additional Trample power, but the overall cost of three mana makes it more expensive.

Next, we have Temur Battle Rage which provides the creature with double its power and Trample, but only if you have Ferocious. It’s cheaper with a cost of two mana but the boost in power is not as reliable as Berserk. Finally, we have Rush of Blood, it gives a similar power boost depending on the creature’s power but it does not lead to the creature’s destruction, making it less risky than Berserk but also less rewarding.

In essence, while these alternatives may compete in cost, speed, and risk factor, Berserk’s powerful effect still holds its own niche, making it a formidable card in the MTG universe due to its aggressive gameplay mechanic.

Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Rush of Blood - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Temur Battle Rage - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Rush of Blood - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Cards similar to Berserk by color, type and mana cost

Fog - MTG Card versions
Natural Selection - MTG Card versions
Lifelace - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Crumble - MTG Card versions
Crop Rotation - MTG Card versions
Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Seedling Charm - MTG Card versions
Shrink - MTG Card versions
Choking Vines - MTG Card versions
Crossbow Ambush - MTG Card versions
Reclaim - MTG Card versions
Emerald Charm - MTG Card versions
Worldly Tutor - MTG Card versions
Magnify - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Might - MTG Card versions
Serene Sunset - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Might - MTG Card versions
Sprout - MTG Card versions
Gather Courage - MTG Card versions
Fog - Magic 2012 (M12)
Natural Selection - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Lifelace - Revised Edition (3ED)
Giant Growth - The List (PLST)
Crumble - World Championship Decks 1997 (WC97)
Crop Rotation - The List (PLST)
Sandstorm - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Seedling Charm - Mirage (MIR)
Shrink - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Choking Vines - Weatherlight (WTH)
Crossbow Ambush - Stronghold (STH)
Reclaim - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Emerald Charm - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Worldly Tutor - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Magnify - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Gaea's Might - Dominaria United (DMU)
Serene Sunset - Judgment (JUD)
Kodama's Might - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Sprout - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Gather Courage - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Berserk MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Berserk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Berserk Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1851993normalblackDan Frazier
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1861993normalblackDan Frazier
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1861993normalwhiteDan Frazier
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1861993normalblackDan Frazier
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1861993normalblackDan Frazier
62007-09-10Masters EditionME1 1141997normalblackDan Frazier
72009-08-28From the Vault: ExiledV09 22003normalblackSteve Prescott
82014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1972015normalblackSteve Prescott
92016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1752015normalblackSteve Prescott
102019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10032015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
112022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4781997normalblackDan Frazier
122022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1812015normalblackDan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Berserk has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Berserk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2004-10-04 If the permanent stops being a creature before the end of the turn, it is still destroyed.

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